Independence Bowl plans to repay Shreveport’s loan with turf

Published: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 8:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 8:37 a.m.

SHREVEPORT — Independence Bowl organizers have offered to repay a $500,000 bailout with new turf at Independence Stadium.

If the plan is approved, the bowl foundation would finance payments through the company installing the field.

Councilman Ron Webb, who has pushed for reimbursement, tells The Times he thinks that would be a win for both sides.

Shreveport secretly gave the money in 2008 to ensure payments to the University of Colorado and the University of Alabama, which had played the previous year. That kept the bowl afloat after PetroSun, then the title sponsor, stopped making payments. Advocare has since become the game’s main sponsor.

City council members and the mayor caught heat for making the deal in secret and over the phone.

<p>SHREVEPORT — Independence Bowl organizers have offered to repay a $500,000 bailout with new turf at Independence Stadium.</p><p>If the plan is approved, the bowl foundation would finance payments through the company installing the field.</p><p>Councilman Ron Webb, who has pushed for reimbursement, tells The Times he thinks that would be a win for both sides.</p><p>Shreveport secretly gave the money in 2008 to ensure payments to the University of Colorado and the University of Alabama, which had played the previous year. That kept the bowl afloat after PetroSun, then the title sponsor, stopped making payments. Advocare has since become the game's main sponsor.</p><p>City council members and the mayor caught heat for making the deal in secret and over the phone.</p>